I was changing Ford's diaper the other day when he asked, "Mom, will we always have Tanner?"
Tanner is the family dog, and at twelve-years old, her health is quickly deteriorating.
"No, Ford," I said gently, "we won't always have Tanner. She is old, and she won't always be with us."
"But if she's not with us," he asked, "who will have her?"
Ever since I became a mother 4 years ago, I've been preparing myself for the tough questions-Why am I here? Where do babies come from? Who shot JFK?-but I admit I wasn't ready for life's greatest question in the middle of a diaper change.
I answered carefully. "Ford, when someone is no longer with us, they go to live with Jesus in Heaven."
A tear made its way down Ford's cheek as he said, "Well, I don't want any other dog after she's gone."
One week later I stood behind my grandmother as her husband of 63 years was buried into the ground. Grandpa lived to be 93, so there was much to give praise for, but I was tormented by one thing. He never saw my sons, his only great-grandchildren.
"Can he see us now?" I wondered silently. "Is he looking down from Heaven and finally seeing the boys?"
My other grandfather, Big Jack, died when I was pregnant with Ford. He too never saw my children. And now, today, I have no more grandfathers. No white-headed men to pat my boys' heads and slip them forbidden candy.
But like Ford, I don't want anyone to replace Big Jack and Grandpa. The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, "But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." Big Jack and Grandpa are gone, but someday we will meet again, and something in my heart tells me they are still here, watching and smiling.
As we left the funeral, I thought back to my conversation with Ford. Very soon he will have to say goodbye to Tanner. I hope I have prepared him well enough.
But then again, as I remember the timing of his question right before my grandfather's funeral, could it be that God was actually preparing me?
Sarah Smiley, Copyright 2004
About The Author
++You may reprint the above column on your website so long as the following is included the URL address is actively hyperlinked back++
THIS MUST BE INCLUDED: Copyright 2004 Sarah Smiley http://www.sarahsmiley.com - Sarah Smiley's syndicated column Shore Duty appears weekly in newspapers across the country.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareAccording to a September 2004 study by the RAND Corporation,... Read More
As parents, we want our children and teens to grow... Read More
People always ask my wife and I: "How did you... Read More
Our children are our most important legacy to the world.... Read More
In this form of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder... Read More
Children are notoriously bad at drinking enough liquids. They are... Read More
Coping with a child's bad behavior, perhaps more than any... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
Teri was 5. As younger siblings do, she looked up... Read More
This is one of the most common questions asked of... Read More
"There is nothing new under the sun," states Ecclesiastes 1:9.... Read More
Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy... Read More
With the beginning of the new school year coming VERY... Read More
Recess has begun disappearing in states all around the country.... Read More
Life is funny.My twenty-year-old daughter, Melanie, has a her new... Read More
Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but... Read More
Elana, born in Russia, was told "We really don't know... Read More
Although it's hard to say when the first stuffed dogs... Read More
Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More
The initial state of happiness about an own child is... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
Julia Roberts recently gave birth to twins: Hazel and Phinnaeus.... Read More
There are a few points about shyness in children which... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Many public schools not only fail to educate our children,... Read More
Pool safety should be on the minds of every parent... Read More
It was no contest. Given a choice between a ball... Read More
Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More
1) It's not my (pot, beer, cigarettes, etc.), I'm just... Read More
Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
Suppose that you rearrange your life to homeschool your child... Read More
One of the most prevalent problems of the computer age... Read More
The legend and myth of the Tooth Fairy is a... Read More
1. STOP focusing on what you are going to make... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
There has been much attention in the media of late... Read More
One of parents' most important duties is to protect their... Read More
Rule #1 Make Every Bite Count!Everything your child eats should... Read More
Teri was 5. As younger siblings do, she looked up... Read More
Chiladult? Whatever you call them, teenagers are a changin' and... Read More
You are in the final round of your favorite game... Read More
If you are like most people today, you do not... Read More
My thirteen-year-old daughter recently called me up to say she... Read More
Using 14 "at" Flashcards To Teach Reading:This exercise helps your... Read More
It is human nature to feel competitive and envious toward... Read More
One of the most prevalent myths of our modern culture... Read More
Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More
Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More
Parenting |